2016 new year resolutions

cause i'll be damned if 2016 isn't lit af

1. write more artistically (poems, songs, etc.) 

2. make more lovely friends (and put more effort into maintaining the lovely ones that i do have) 

3. put more time into self-care and bettering myself on the inside

4. take school as serious as possible and be less of a procrastinator 

5. score a bomb internship 

6. drink more tea

7. broaden the genres of music that i listen to 

8. learn how to but my top lid eyeliner on straight (also learn how to put fake eyelashes on cause girl how in the world do you do that foolishness someone show me the light) 

9. leave all the foolishness that i want to leave in 2015, in 2015

10. LEARN HOW TO DRIVE
11. get a bomb job so i can have a least a lil bit of chump change in my pocket
12. become more of an adult (whatever that may mean)
13. but, in the same breathe, take risks and make more solid decisions

wherever you are, i wish you the absolute best and lit-est 2016 possible. having a imaginary fresh start is great, and i'm sure i'm going to utilize it to the fullest thing year. 2015 has been filled with a bunch of crazy ups and ridiculous downs. i just hope that 2016 is more stabilized, and happier. and i'm going to do everything i can to will a happier year into existence.

with love, nia simone

30 DAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE; day 9; places i'd like to visit

I never really think about traveling because I never seem to have the money or the companions to go on these types of adventures with me. If only...

But, first off, I'd love to head to one of those states with a warmer climate and beaches like Florida or California. I love the beach so much and I'd love to live near one one day so I can see all of that beautifulness all of the time. I also want to go to a Caribbean island. 

I want to go overseas and see Japan to witness all of their technological advances and the amazing fashion they have there. Honestly, most of the world has something in it that would make me want to visit. One day I'll get out of this town for good...

- with love, nia simone

30 DAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE; day 7 & 8; religion & dream job

I almost thought about skipping over the religion question because I didn't really have too much of an opinion on it. All I can say is that people can believe whatever they want to believe, and I think that some other people forget that. We've got freedom of religion right? Isn't that in the Constitution? Anyway, I just hate when people try to shove their religion down other people's throats like America isn't a huge melting pot with a bunch of different culture. It's such a ethnocentric way of thinking. I'm not with it. I also don't like when people try to back up their ignorance and bigotry with their religion.  People love to use certain excerpts from whatever their sacred text is to prove that what they believe is right. But, you can't just cherry pick in order to make you seem like less of a closed-minded asshole. 

But I digress. 

I think my dream job would be me having my own music publication one day. I would say a magazine, but I feel like magazines might become obsolete soon. I could work in all the different aspects like writing and interviewing, and I could promote the next generation of music. That would be killer. 

Oh! And I could have like a music talk show on like MTV or something. That would be tight. 

*Crosses fingers that all this will actually happen* 

with love, nia simone

30 DAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE; day 6; top five pet peeves

To tell you the truth, I had to look up what a pet peeve truly was on Google. Isn't a pet peeve just like a dislike? Didn't I address those a couple of days ago? Anyway- 

According to Google, a pet peeve is a minor annoyance that that affects you more than other people. So...I guess that's different? 

1. When I'm out hanging with someone and they're glued onto their phone. I can't lie; I do this too sometimes. But there's something about it that bugs me to no end when it's being done to me...I should probably stop doing that shouldn't I? 

2. When I'm walking on campus and someone's smoking right in front of me so the smoke floats right into my face...like I'm not trying to get second hand lung cancer calm that down...

3. The noise styrofoam makes! OMG, it's the worst. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

4. When old men try to holla at me when I'm walking down the street. #ShootYourShot2015 doesn't apply to you yo. 

5. Whenever someone says "All Lives Matter" or anything that tries to make it seem like everyone's dealing with the same oppression. Like, you really don't get it do you? You have no idea what the world's really like. 

- Nia Simone

30 DAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE; day 5; your day in great detail

(I don't really feel like going into great detail so I'm just going to skim over the basics)

I had a great day chilling with my friends. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. It felt like a summer night. I couldn't get enough of it. 

I went to the mall and got some cute clothes; grabbed something to eat; it was lit. 

Yup, that's pretty much it. 

- Nia Simone. 

30 DAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE; day 4; your current relationship, if single discuss the single life

Ah, the inevitable relationship post.

I've been single for what seems like four score and seven years. I remember, I had a boyfriend way back in freshman year of high school named Braxton. Being with him was an odd experience. I don't even think that I liked him that much; I just liked the fact that I actually had a boyfriend. Now, at 20 I don't even remember what the boy looked like. I can't even remember his last name so I couldn't stalk him on social media even if I wanted to lol. 

't was even, of all things, my first kiss. Now, that was absolutely terrible. He had like the struggle bus of facial hair going on so it like rubbed against my face and made my face itch...and he didn't have any lips! It was AWFUL! But, hilarious at the same time. It was nothing like I'd thought kissing someone would be.  It would be YEARS until I actually had a memorable kiss. But that's a whole another blog post in itself. 

Since then, I haven't had any committed, serious big girl type of relationship. I've talked to a good bit of guys, but none of my romantic endeavors have come to fruition...yet.

It takes a lot for me to start genuinely liking somebody. So, whenever I do, it's kind of a big deal and it totally takes over my heart. I guess you can say when I fall, I fall DEEP. My experiences with falling haven't ended well though...I often end up flat on my face. But, now that I think about it who actually ends up with the first person they truly fall head over heels and all that good shit for-besides, like Cory and Topanga? Sadly I don't live in some family friendly 90s sitcom. This is real life. And sometimes, shit's going to fucking hurt. 

Everyone going to go through some type of heartbreak in their lives. Mine just happened kind of late in life I guess. I always felt like I was behind in dating and love experiences. And, at 20, I still feel like that sloth racing against a bunch of rampant hyenas.

(I'm trying to think rationally about the whole situation now; A couple months ago, I definitely wasn't thinking about it in this manner LOL)

But, 2016 is going to be a year of bettering myself and not worrying too much about all this love BS. So, this is going to be the year of making sure Nia is top notch and being the best Nia that she can be.  And that special someone little love muffin of a man that's out there for just for little old me will come along eventually. 

- Nia Simone

30 DAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE; day 3; ten likes and dislikes

This should be easy enough.

10 Likes

1. I like natural beaches. I love the sound of the waves, the sand, the color of the sunset against the waters...everything about it is lovely. I even like the waves emoji.
2. I like those EOS lip balm egg things. They are absolutely amazing. I love how they feel on my lips. I don't know what makes it different from other lip balms out there but I don't want to stop using them. Maybe it's like beeswax or something? But, I'll surely spend the extra money to make sure that one always stays in my purse.
3. I like boys with high top fades because they make me feel like I'm the black heroine of a 90s romantic comedy. I just find them so attractive; it's crazy. Have you ever watched Juice? Every single guy in that movie's wearing a fade. So, yeah, I have that movie on my Netflix list so I can keep trac of it and watch it from time to time...
4. I love horror movies. Especially good ones. Sadly, there's rarely a good scary movie that drops in theaters. I'm always creeping through places like Netflix to go and find a legit scary one that doesn't just leave me laughing throughout every bit of it. I think the last one that I watched was The Babadook. Definitely watch that one.
5. I like jeans that fit. For some reason, I can never find a good pair of jeans that fit on me. In just the years that I've gone through college (3) I think that I've ran through at least 10 pairs of good jeans. I just don't know what's wrong. I've got shirts from all the way back in middle school but I just ripped a pair of jeans that I got last week. Absolutely ridiculous.
6. I like french fries. The best fries that I ever had were Boardwalk Fries that I had at Kings Dominion a couple of years ago. Maybe, I just remember them because I have a lot of great memories associated with those fries. And, these fries were also ridiculously expensive. Were they worth the price...maybe.
7. I like taking good selfies. I know this is probably going to sound super ridiculous and superficial but I really do enjoy whenever I can churn out a good selfie. I feel a small sense of accomplishment. Is that weird? That's probably weird. It's whatever though. Judge me; judge me all of you.
8.  I like seeing a great hairstyle. Weaves, wigs, natural hair, idc. I follow so many hair instagrams and I adore seeing some slaaaaayed hair. It truly makes me happy. I love to see my fellow black women flexing through their hair follicles and what not.
9. I like trash television. I'm always watching shows like Love & Hip Hop and whatever other random reality TV show is on VH1. I also like to rewatch ratchet shows of televisions past. I'm working on For the Love of Ray J right now. It's absolutely hilarious. 10 out of 10, would recommend
10. I love watching marriage proposals on Youtube....I don't know why; I just do.

10 Dislikes

1. I HATE regular mustard. It's so terribly disgusting. Whoever came up with that crap?
2. I also don't like yellow. Too bright.
3. I don't like when people are close-minded...

Okay, that's enough of the dis-likes. xD  That was getting a little too negative in this piece. I'm trying to do this whole thing where I stay positive regardless of what happens and what not. So...yeah...this is the end of the dislikesxD

See you lovely people tomorrow.

- Nia Simone

30 DAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE; day 2; where i'd like to be in ten years

Ten years from now, I'd be 30 years old. The fact that I'm 20 right now amazes me enough. So, becoming 30 one day doesn't seem too out of reach. 

I'd love to be living in some type of condo in the middle of New York City. (I want to live in some type of urban environment, but doesn't NYC sound amazing? It's always been my dream.)  I'd be far away from my inevitable years of internship at assorted magazines and television stations and I'd have some type of stable job writing for a publication. Maybe I could have my own publication? 

I was always so frustrated as a kid because I used to be in love with magazines like Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and NYLON. But, I never really found anyone that looked like me in those magazines. It's obvious that they don't have a lot of diversity in their writers. Even in some of the articles (the ones that are reaching for attention from someone besides the average teenage white girl that they usually cater to) on their website you can see how glaringly out of the loop they are. So, my publication would surely benefit little girls like me that are looking for someone to look up to and emulate. I'm tryna look out for all my little Nias out there. <3

At 30, I'd hope that I'd be married. I'd finally be out of this strenuous, ridiculous dating scene and I'd be settled down with someone who loves me and wants to look out for me no matter what. Some Bonnie & Clyde type stuff...you know without all the killing and illegal-ness and what not. I hope he's tall...funny...and someone that I'm comfortable with. A girl can dream. 

And of course, with marriage, comes little babies :) I want to have a kid by this time...maybe a couple? Who knows? I just want to make sure that my life and my career are stable before I go out popping out little cutie pie babies. 

(I also hope that Kingdom Hearts 3 is out by this time. This isn't too out of reach...is it? Watch me be 30 years old, still creeping through the inter webs trying to find out the KH3 release date. Sadness.) 

I'm trying to make 30 my year of stability. All of these struggles that I'm having in life right now with college and career (or lack there of) and what not will hopefully be settled by the time that I'm 30. I'll know what I want to do with my life by then. Just the thought of being sure of myself makes me a little bit happier! xD

But, it's not like I'm trying to fast-forward time. I'm going to enjoy my twenties as much as I possibly can. I mean, they basically just started! :)

- Nia Simone

30 DAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE; day 1; write some basic facts about yourself.

I know love muffins. It's been a while. 

 I'm trying to get back into this whole blogging thing yet again. I want to use it to stretch out my writing muscles and do something that has me writing every single day. I used to use this site back in high school called 750words.com that I swore by to keep me writing my miscellaneous stories and what not, but sadly I've fallen off the writing train since then. I almost thought about waiting until 2016 and doing it as a whole "New Year, New Me!" type of BS that everyone likes to convince themselves that they are swearing by in the new year. I can't lie, the fact that a new year is coming up is motivating me to change but I don't see the point of waiting until January 1st when I know what I want to do now. So, here I am. 

So hey! 

My name's Nia. I figure I'd add my middle name Simone to separate myself from the other Nias that inhabit the earth (Nia Long, and that one girl from that recent wild season of The Real World) I'm 20 years old and I'm a journalism student at a local university. 

(I always hate when I'm talking to someone for the first time and they always hit me with the "Tell me about yourself." I never know what to say. Like, am I supposed to sell myself right now? What is the pitch to sell Nia as a stellar friend and/or girlfriend? I hate it; I just want the conversation to develop naturally. But, I digress, I shall flesh out my "basic facts" just for y'all.) 

I love music. And when I say I love music I really freaking love it. Music has such an impact on my emotions. So I always have playlists on deck to medicate whatever type of negative things I may be feelings in my day to day life. I'm an absolute huge fan of hip hop. I try to listen to as much of it I can, even though I don't exactly love all the realms of what hip hop have to offer. But, that doesn't mean that I don't give it a solid listen. I don't like when people have a negative opinion on an artist that you haven't heard yet. Like, what are you going off of? Preconceived notions? Whatever you're being spoon-fed on your Twitter feed? 

(Minor Tangent: As I'm writing this I'm re-watching episodes of My Strange Addiction on Hulu. And I've always wondered, why do they always have the black people eating crazy things on here? Like, at least one of every three episodes has a black person eating random things. The last episode that I watched had some black man eating plastic bags, and one that I'm watching right now has a black woman that eats makeup. Why are they doing us like this? I mean, I'm still going to watch it...but it's always something that I've wondered about ever since I first started watching it.) 

I often fail at not listening to the same three albums all year, so I'm also trying to listen to 16 albums in 2016. It may not seem like a lot, but it would be certainly monumental for me. This year, I've been addicted to Childish Gambino's STN MTN/Kauai extravaganza, Big Sean's Dark Sky Paradise, Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment's Surf, & Bryson Tiller's T R A P S O U L. I dig R&B, but the more progressive new wave type of sound that has been progressing over the past five years with artists like The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and Miguel. Speaking of Frank Ocean, where is that new album Boys Don't Cry? I feel like I'm playing Where in the World is Carmen Santiago? with that boy. 

One day, I hope to work for some dope ass music magazine like XXL or Complex so I can talk about this type of stuff all the time. 

I feel like I've already revealed too much and won't have anything to write about for the next 30 days. So, I shall stop here before I get too ahead of myself. 

I hope y'all will ride through this journey with me and do a little bit of blogging for yourself. They're some pretty dope, but wide open topics so you can take this challenge wherever the wind blows you. Here's the Wordpress post that I got the challenge from. 

So, hopefully I'll see y'all beautiful people tomorrow. 

Love y'all , Nia Simone